16,400 people arrive Britain under Ukraine visa schemes

Around 16,400 people had arrived in Britain under Ukraine visa schemes, according to British government figures on Thursday.

About 13,200 had arrived under the Ukraine family scheme and 3,200 under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme, provisional data shows.

About 94,700 applications have been received for both schemes and 56,500 visas had been granted by Thursday, the Department for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities and the Home Office said.

Less than half of visa applications made under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme have been granted, the figures showed.

There has been widespread concern about the length of time it takes for visas to be issued to refugees under this route, the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, apologised last week.

In comparison, 80.3 per cent of applications under the family scheme have resulted in visas being issued.

There were 55,600 applications for the sponsorship scheme and 25, 100 visas issued.

Out of 39,100 applications for family visas, 31,400 have been granted.